ATC Group: N04BX Other dopaminergic agents

Entacapone belongs to a new therapeutic class, catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors. It is a reversible, specific, and mainly peripherally acting COMT inhibitor designed for concomitant administration with levodopa preparations. Entacapone prolongs the clinical response to levodopa.

Opicapone is a peripheral, selective and reversible catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor endowed with a high binding affinity (sub-picomolar). Opicapone is indicated as adjunctive therapy to preparations of levodopa/DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors (DDCI) in adult patients with Parkinson’s disease, leading to an increase of levodopa plasma levels thereby improving the clinical response to levodopa.

Tolcapone is an orally active, selective and reversible catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor. Administered concomitantly with levodopa and an aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor (AADC-I), it leads to more stable plasma levels of levodopa by reducing metabolism of levodopa to 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-L-phenylalanine (3-OMD). High levels of plasma 3-OMD have been associated with poor response to levodopa in Parkinson’s disease patients.